February 2012

Western Reserve Rowing Association

 

-  2012 Season Preview from the WRRA Board

-  Membership and Program Registration

-  WRRA Maintenance Day at Rivergate

-  Summer Rowing League News

-  Volunteers Needed for Learn To Rows in April

- WRRA Merchandise

-  Boathouse 101 – CRF and WRRA

- Meet a WRRA Member — Power 10 Q and A with Patrick Whitaker

 

Welcome to the WRRA monthly newsletter. There were several requests for a newsletter and our WRRA recording secretary Sally Fahrenholz has graciously agreed to compile and edit the newsletter for us. We will be concentrating on content and timeliness for the news items. For now we will email the newsletter to members as well as post it on the website. Future editions of the newsletter will be in a more compact web-based format that will allow you to click on a concise story header for additional detail.

 

While it is just the beginning of February, warm weather and WRRA’s return to rowing are really just around the corner. WRRA committee members, board, president and coach are busy planning for a great 2012 season and beyond. We will build upon the momentum started in 2010 and 2011; continuing with our diverse and strong rowing programs and varied communication strategies. From the 2011 surveys we know that coaching, program development, and equipment are near and dear to your hearts and we are paying serious attention to these areas and anticipate significant action.

 

The various committees are developing recommendations to the WRRA Board of Directors related to programs/initiatives and budgeting. These recommendations will be considered in light of the financial data from 2011, projected costs/income for 2012 and input from the member surveys.

 

The SRL program will continue to hold the bulk of our membership and we are working on the programming structure for the other sweep rowers as well as scullers. There have been increases in the Cleveland Rowing Foundation rack fees and there are significant equipment needs in addition to WRRA normal operating costs. This means we will need to examine all the costs closely to be sure they are necessary.

 

Once the programming and budget projections are more formal, the information will be presented at an open board meeting, posted on the website.

 

Please continue to check the web site and the WRRA social media accounts for more detailed information as we move forward. If you have questions, or would like to volunteer on one of the WRRA committees please contact us. There are multiple WRRA email accounts listed on the website. If the topic you are addressing is not listed please use the general info email.

 

Thank you!

We look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming social gatherings.

The WRRA Board of Directors

 

Registration for WRRA 2012 programs will open in early March. You will receive an email announcement at that time which will include instructions for registering, links for registering and program details.  Questions may be directed to membership@westernreserverowing.com

 

The first WRRA Volunteer opportunity this year will be on Saturday Feb 4 from 9am to 12 pm and involve maintenance chores at the boathouse. The next maintenance day will be in June. Contact:  volunteer@westernreserverowing.com

 

Share the date: WRRA’s 2012 Meet and Greet will be held on April 4th (5:45pm, location TBD). If you know anyone looking to explore joining our rowing community, please pass along this date as an opportunity to learn about our club, understand our offered programs, and meet current club members. Promotional materials and additional information will be provided in a future newsletter and on the WRRA website.

 

Six Learn to Row sessions are scheduled for April 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29 at the Boathouse.  Volunteers will be needed on each of these days to assist with coxing, rowing, erging and assisting Erik Murdell, the Learn To Row instructor.  The time commitment for the rowing and coxing volunteers is from 10:15 AM – 2:15 PM. Volunteers helping in the erg room should arrive by 9:15 AM.

 

Coaches will also be needed on these days.  This program is vital to our organization, and its success depends entirely on WRRA member volunteers. It is not too early to commit to one (or several) of these LTR sessions. For more information or to volunteer, please contact volunteer@westernreserverowing.com . Thanks in advance for the important contribution of your valuable time to our club.

 

Just because you’re not on the water quite yet doesn’t mean you can’t impress your friends, family and fashionistas by picking up some official WRRA merchandise. Water bottles, caps, visors, cinch bags, T-shirts, logo stickers, logo static window decals and more are available. Check out the current stock of gear by clicking here

 

“I already own the full line of WRRA merchandise” you say? Well, keep in mind that WRRA merchandise always makes a great gift. Also, worry not; new items will be available in 2012 to expand your options of flaunting your WRRA pride.

 

If you have any questions, care to order anything that’s currently available or have suggestions for future items please e-mail merchandise@westernreserverowing.com for a quick response.

 

Need to come in out of the cold and see your fellow rowers (not wearing polyester and complaining on the erg)?? The intraclub and social committee will be coordinating monthly WRRA Happy Hours at our SRL sponsor locations starting in February. We plan to alternate Tuesday and Wednesday to help accommodate different schedules and give our sponsors mid-week business.

 

If you or your sponsor would like to schedule a happy hour date, please contact Kat Pathroff at katherinedewitt@aol.com.

 

First date – Wednesday, Feb 22 from 5:30-9:00 pm at HOOPLES. $2 Labatts draft and mussels $6/lb

Hope to see you there

 

Each month we will answer a frequently asked question on a topic relevant to rowing or WRRA.

Members may submit questions to info@westernreserverowing.org.

 

What is the difference between The Cleveland Rowing Foundation and Western Reserve Rowing Association?

Western Reserve Rowing Association provides and promotes adult competitive and recreational rowing for the Northeast Ohio community through quality programming. If you are an adult rowing out of the boathouse, you are a member of WRRA.

 

The Cleveland Rowing Foundation is the umbrella organization managing the boathouse, grounds, docks and other functions common to its member organizations. It was created a number of years ago by WRRA and the high school and collegiate rowing organizations– these organizations are CRF members.

 

Each member organization provides significant financial support to CRF based on the size of the organization to help cover the shared infrastructure costs of operating and maintaining the boathouse and grounds.  The funds for that support are part of your WRRA membership dues.  Each organization also provides some volunteer support to CRF.

 

Each month our Power 10 Q and A features a WRRA rower, coxswain, or coach.

This month’s spotlight is on one of this year’s Cleveland Rowing Foundation Burning Blade Award winners, Patrick Whitaker.

 

Each year the Cleveland Rowing Foundation recognizes the outstanding contribution of service by a volunteer to the Cleveland Rowing Foundation with the Burning Blade Award. Patrick shares the 2011 Burning Blade award with Bob Gannon.

 

POWER 10 Q&A WITH Patrick Whitaker 

 

1) Where are you from?

Hometown: Originally from the east side along with South Florida and Key West.

Current: Living in Lakewood with a great view of the lake and downtown!

 

2) Where do you work/What do you do?

I Work for Donald Doskey Design in Shaker Heights and Chapel Hill, NC. The firm offers complete interior design services and specification for luxury residential, corporate and hospitality clients.

 

3) How did you get into rowing?

Ancient history! It’s been over 25 years! UGH!

I transferred from the Art Academy of Cincinnati to The Ohio State University. One afternoon I went for a swimming practice at Larkins Hall. When leaving the gym, I was approached by six “glamazons” from the women’s varsity 8+ crew. They had been sent out by their coach on a “shorty patrol” (i.e. coxswain hunt).  I had just walked out of the locker room and before I knew it, they had me on a scale in the hall and were measuring me with a cloth tape!

 

They briefly mentioned something about rowing and dragged me right then and there over to the Drake Union Boat House. Keep in mind that I was about 125 lbs. and 5-5″ tall!  I distinctly remember them taking me to the coach and saying, “Look what we brought you!” He looked right at me and said, “Oh, a Coxswain – goody!” Like I was lunch or something!

 

He pretty much picked me up off the ground, set me into the shell and said ” Do EVERYTHING that I am going to yell at you from the launch from here on !” and that was it.

I had been sailing my entire life so it seemed like a natural transition.

 

4) Any non-rowing hobbies?

I try to keep fairly busy. I am a big reader and enjoy books. I also draw, enjoy the study of architecture and history, and like anything to do with the water. Living in a condo has now changed the ways in which I spend my free time and now that I live in an urban place, I’m still trying to figure it out. Taking up the cello isn’t far out of the picture either.

 

This past year I have been very busy with both the boat house moving and organization. I have also kept busy working with Sarah Ott-Hansen and Grosvie Cooley planning different events to raise funds for both CRF and Rivergate Park. The 2011 BASH last summer proved to be very successful with about 400 attendees, so we have been working to organize future fundraising events which will have a major impact on the entire organization in a positive way.

 

5) What’s your favorite rowing moment?

That’s a tough one… I actually have a few:

 

1. Women’s Masters 8+ – 2007 HOTC regatta. We walked on the two lead boats TWICE in the same regatta and took the gold. The first was through the course, the second was after we crabbed and they passed us, forcing us to walk on them again through the Center Street Swing Bridge.

 

2. After finishing the 2007 Charles in the WRRA men’s 8+, we had a very leisurely row back to Community Boat House which is another full 2 miles past the finish line. It was a perfect autumn day with the colored leaves in full glory, bright sun and the river was like a mill pond. It was great just casually rowing, laughing and joking with a great bunch of guys! I don’t ever recall having a more pleasurable and casual row. We had worked VERY hard for this brief moment of solitude and it was all worth it. Of course, certain bragging rights during that particular regatta made it all the more sweet!

3.  Anytime I’m coxing a boat of novice or first season folks who do well is a really big thrill! Even if it’s a Learn To Row session and they have a great row, it makes me happy. I’m a firm believer in positive water time! After all, INFLICTING any knowledge you may have and TEACHING it are two entirely different things aren’t they? Hopefully, I’ve distinguished between the two by this point

 

I once read a great quote: “The most significant moments of our lives occur when we are least aware of them.” So now I try to observe things a little bit more and become a little bit more aware.

 

6) Toughest part of rowing?

As a coxswain, competitive Head races can be hard. That’s a long time to keep people motivated while trying to navigate a shell through a difficult course. A coxswain has to multi-task in a shell for the entire race and if the course is crowded and difficult to navigate, that can make it very stressful.

 

Believe me when I tell you, sometimes I’m as exhausted as the rowers at the end of a hard race! Developing a good working rapport with the stroke seat rower is important too. You have to grow to trust each other and communication is a key in that process. After all, you sit facing each other, two feet apart for months at a time! Also, I’m always leery of inexperienced or reckless coxswains on hard courses (I can spot them a mile away). It can be dangerous at times and my number one priority is to keep the crew safe and avoiding bad drivers can be tricky sometimes.

 

7) What’s the best advice about rowing you’ve ever received?

Best advice was from Aaron Marcovy. Years ago he looked at me and said, “After all of your years on the river, I need for you to TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS!”

 

The reason it was good advice is that a coach had finally given me permission to do my job for the crew, and from that moment on it was one of my best seasons ever.

 

What one thing do you want to do before you die?

Hold an enormous international stake boat regatta through the canals of Venice!  Although…. a. nice cottage with some dogs doesn’t seem too bad, either. – I actually have one  (a cottage) in mind.

 

9) What piece of advice do you have to give for anyone considering joining up with WRRA?

First and foremost is for them to have fun! We all work, have family and other issues so rowing is a great way to escape. Your boathouse time should be as stress free as possible. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do this. Set goals and be organized in your process. Not every practice or race is going to be terrific, but learn from those bad days. In my opinion the best practices are out on the inner break wall with open water and as close to the open lake as possible.

 

My personal feeling is that water has a tremendous healing quality. If it didn’t then why would tropical vacations be so popular? Remember: Rowing is a conspicuously gracious sport and that volunteerism builds a stronger community.

 

10) What advice would you give to the younger you?

To the younger me I would say, “Stay away from people with a lot of negative energy! It is important to be creative in your thought process. Right or wrong, it’s important to be your own person.”